William "Scotty" M. Jack

William (Scotty) Jack Dies At His Home In Casper Tuesday

William M. (Scotty) Jack, 78, a former Niobrara Legislator, Lusk Businessman, and Wyoming political leader, died at his home in Casper Tuesday afternoon of an apparent heart attack. He was watching the news broadcast on television.

At The Herald's press time Wednesday the time for services had not yet been set. They will be held in Casper.

Born in New York City on March 5, 1892, Jack moved with his family to Scotland when he was two years old. He was reared and educated in Scotland, but returned to the United States when he was 18. For a time he herded sheep in this area, later homesteaded near Jay Em and later operated the Texaco bulk agency in Lusk.

In 1924 he began a political career which was to last most of his life. He was elected state representative from Niobrara County. He moved to Casper and was elected representative from Natrona County three times. In 1933 he was elected the first Democratic Speaker of the House. In 1934 he was elected state auditor and was re-elected in 1938 and 1942. In October 1944 he was appointed Secretary of State by the late Governor Lester Hunt to fill the unexpired term of Mart T. Christensen, who died in office.

After serving that term he left public office and engaged in business ventures and became executive vice-president of the Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association. He resigned that position in 1954 to become a candidate for governor. He lost the election by a slim margin to Milward Simpson. He again ran for governor in 1962 but lost to the late Jack Gage in the primary.

In addition to his elective offices Mr. Jack, who was one of Wyoming's most widely-known men, was a member of the State Board of Equalization and Public Service Commission for six years.

In 1964 he was named head of the regional office of the Small Business Administration, a position he held until last year.

He was a Past Master of Harmony Masonic Lodge of Lusk and Past Grand Master of Wyoming Masons. He was a past president of the Lusk Lions club and had continued his interest in the civic work of that organization his entire life.

He is survived by his widow, Huldah, one son, William M. Jr. of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Miss Phyllis Jack of San Francisco, Calif. and Mrs. Robert Darrow of Lusk.

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